2010 promises to be a busy year for the SPAR national netball team, as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games in India in October and the World Championships in Singapore in 2011.

Twenty-six players are gathering in Potchefstroom on Thursday 27 January 2010 for a camp and trials, after which a South African squad will be selected.  The team announcement is expected on Saturday night, with the team being put through their paces on Sunday.

Coach Carin Strauss is planning a number of squad camps throughout the year, as well as international competitions.  First up is expected to be a series against Malawi, who have been South Africa’s nemesis in recent years. Malawi are ranked fifth in the world, one place ahead of sixth-ranked South Africa, and South Africa are desperate to regain their status as the number one team in Africa.

In March, players from the top regions will converge in Pretoria for a Fastnet tournament. Fastnet is a shortened version of the game, and Strauss has described it as “the Twenty20” of netball.  A Fastnet match is made up of four six-minute quarters.

“There are Power Plays, shots at goal can be taken from outside the circle, and we have revolving substitution,” said Strauss.  “It’s great fun – there’s action replays on giant television screens and lots of music.  There is a very good vibe and the players love it.” “But it’s not just throw and giggle – you have to be very fit to play Fastnet, because of the pace, and your defence has to be superb.”

South Africa will compete in a world Fastnet tournament in Manchester, England, in November.

The SPAR National Championships will be played in August, and will be followed by a squad camp. In September, South Africa will take part in a Tri-nations tournament against Scotland and Trinidad and Tobago, in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

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